Cigar lighter



w. H. HuTcHlNs ET AL 1,928,224

CIGAR LIGHTER Sept. 26, 1933.

Filed July 19, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 26, 1933.

W. H. HUTCHINS ET AL,

CIGAR LIGHTER Filed July 19, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept 26, 1933- w. H. HUTCHINS Er AL 1,928,224

CIGAR LIGHTER Filed July l3.9, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y lo Patented Sept. 26, 1933 PATENT OFFICE CIGAR LIGHTER William H. Hutchins and Thomas L. Lee,

Rochester, N. Y., assignors to North East Appliance Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporationv of New York Application July 19, 1930. Serial No. 469,102

2 Claims.

This invention relates to electric lighters including an electrically heated detachable unit.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, durable, attractive, and inexpensive device which is composed of few parts, is capable of being easily and quickly assembled, and is elicient in operation. In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention this object is accomplished by providing a detachable head cigar lighter comprising a base, terminals insulatingly supported by the base, a switch supported by the base and comprising a contact movable into connection with one of said terminals, a heating coil, a head for supporting the coil, and devices for attaching the head to the base and for electrically connecting the coil with the terminals, `said devices comprising pairs of cooperating plug and socket members, one pair connecting oneend of the coil with a terminal and the other pair connecting the other end of the coil with the movable switch member.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of the rst form of the device.

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3` is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a rear View of a contact member for supporting the heating coil.

Fig. 7 is a view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a second form of the device.

Fig. 9 is a side View of Fig. 8.

Fig. l0 is an enlarged sectional View taken on ltheline 10-10 of Fig. 8.

Fig. ll'is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional View taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is al detail View of a tension member of the devices.

Fig. 14 is a detail view of a sleeve contact memb'er shown in Fig. 10.

Figs. 15A and 16 are plan and sectional views (Cl. 21B-32) respectively of the heating coil supporting cage shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 17 is a plan View of a third modified form.

Fig. 18 is a side View of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional view taken on theline 19-19 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view 20-20 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken on the line 21--21 of Fig. 19.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a holding member and a detachable igniting unit. The former comprises a base 20 of any suitable insulating material which is adapted to be secured to a support (not shown). The base 2O has an aperture 21 to receive a tubular plug 22. The plug 22 has a shoulder 23 adapted to engage the outer surface of the base and a reduced portion which passes through the aperture 21 and receives a resilientcontact member or blade 28. The plug 22 is spun over as at 25 to firmly hold the plug 22 to the base and electrically connect the contact 28 to the plug 22. The base is recessed as at 26 to receive an insulating cover plate 27.

A terminal stud or post 30 is coaxially mounted within the socket member or plug 22 and insulated therefrom by a bushing 31. The stud 30 is provided with a head portion 33 which engages bushing 31. The threaded end of the stud 30 extending through a hole provided in the cover plate 27 has a nut 34 thereon, which when tightened, draws the head portion 33 against the bushing 31, thus holding the cover plate 27 in position and rigidly supporting the post 30 in proper position relative to the tubular plug 22.

The detachable member 35 is of bakelite or other suitable insulating material, and having a bell-shaped end. An interior shoulder 36 is provided in the detachable member 35. An asbestos ring lines the shoulder 36, and a tensioning ring 37 engages the asbestos ring. A socket member or connector 38, having an annular flange 39 engaging the tensioning ring 37, has a tubular portion extending into the tubular portion of the detachable member so as to be coaxial therewith. This tubular portion of the socket 38 is slotted and is of exible nature. The ange 39 of the socket or connector 38 is maintained against the tensioning ring 3'7 by a cup-shaped member 40 provided with an outwardly extending rim 41. This rim 41 has a plurality of apertures 42 acting as' ventilators. The bottom wall of the cupshaped member has angular ears 43 struck therefrom, bent outwardly from the wall so as to entaken on the line Aso Ahas its free end bifurcated as gage the flange 39 of the socket member or connector 38 and provide a space between the ange 39 and the bottom of the cup-shaped member 49 for purposes to be described.

A snap ring fitting into an annular groove 46 provided in the interior surface of the bellshaped end of the detachable head 35 engages the rim Lil of the cupshaped member 40 to maintain the cup-shaped member 40 in proper position within the head 21,'5.

A heating coil 59 comprises a helical formation of suitable resistance material, which when current is flowing therethrough', will become heated and will glow. Gne end of the heating coil is in electrical engagement with a stud 51', supported by the cup member 40, but insulated therefrom. The lother end of the heating unit l s an angular projection 52 which entends through an opening in the bottom oiY the cup member 40, and is clamped between the bottom wall of the cup member 40 and the ril l 39 oi' the socket member orv connector The stud 51 forming two substantially resilient sections. I This biiurcated end ofthe stud 51 is'adapteil to fit snugly into a recess 55 provided inthe end of the stud 30 whereby the stud is electrically connected with one end oi' the heating unit 50.

When the detachable member 35 is placed in position upon'the stationary member 20, the stud 51 will engage the post 30, as has been described, and the slotted end of the socket or connector 38 will engage the tubular plug 22 of the stationary member 20 so that the outer end of the heating unit 50 will be in electrical engagement with the plug 22 through the socket or connector 38.

A terminal post is supported by the cover plate 27' so as to be engageable by the spring contact or blade 28. To move the spring contact 28 into engagement with the terminal 69, a push button 61 is provided which is slidably supported in an opening formed in the stationary member 2U.

When it is desired to use the device, the push button 61 is pressed so that the spring blade 28 will engage the terminal G0 completing a circuit through the device through the following elen ments: ground, 60, 28, 22, 38, 39, 52, 40, 50, 51 and 30, then to a source of current and ground. With continued depression of the button 51 the current will flow through the heating unit 50. causing it to glow, at which time the detachable head member 35 may be removed rfrom the stationary member 20. n-this removal, the stud 51 is withdrawn from the post 30 and the tubular socket or connector 38 from the tubular plug From the aforegoing description of the construction of the rst form oi the invention it is apparent that We have provided a detachable head cigar lighter comprising a base 20, terminals 30, and 60 supported by the base 20, a switch supported by the base and comprising a contact 28 movable into connection with terminal 60, a heating coil 50, a head 35 for supporting the coil 50, and devices for attaching the head 35 to the base 20 and for electrically connecting the coil 50 with the terminals 30 and 61, said devices comprising pairs of cooperating plugs and socket Y connectors 55, and 22,' 38, one pair 55 connecting one end of the coil 50 with a terminal a second form of a detachable head cigar lighter comprising a base, terminals insulatingly supported by the base, a switch supported by the base and comprising a contact movable into connection with one of the terminals, a heating coil, a head for supporting the coil, and means for attaching the head to the base for electrically connecting the heating coil with the terminal, said means comprising central and annular plug members on the head cooperating respectively with central annular socket on the base, one plug and socket member connecting one end of the coil with a teri al, and the other plug and socket connecting the other end of the coil with the switch movable member. The rst form shown in Figs. 1 to 8 has a central plug and annular socket on the head cooperating respectively with a central socket and annular plug on the base.

The base 20 has an aperture 21 which receives a tubular conductor 122. The base 2D is provided also with an annular recess or groove sul stantially concentric to the aperture 21, for receiving a socket member or connector 124. The socket member 124 is provi-:led with a plurality of inwardly extending angular ears 124ab which engage one side of the base are in turn engaged by the annular flange of the tubular conductor 122, thereby electrically connecting the conductor 122 with the socket member 12-1 and securely attaching the socket member to the base. The conductor 122 extends from the side of the base opposite the socket member 124 through an opening in a resilient contact or lade 28. This end oi. the conductor 122 is spun over the cont-ac as at 125 to firmly hold the contact 28 against the base, and thereby electrically connecting the socket member or connector 124 and the Contact An insulating disc 131 is provided within the socket member or connector 124. A hole in said disc, concentric oi the connector 124 is in axial 'alignment with a similar hole in the cover plate 27. The terminal stud or post 30 is supported in the holes of the disc 131 and the plate 27, the post 30 having a flange portion 183 which engages one side of the 131. threaded end of the post 30 extending thro the cover plate 2'7 has a nut 34 thereon, wh cn when tightened, draws l anged po- "u the post against the disc 131 thus holding the cover plate 27 position and rigidly supporting the post 313 proper position relative to the socket member connector 124.

The detachable head 35 in the second form shown in Figs. 8 to 16 inclusive, is assembled the same as that which is shown in the first form except that a plug 133 having an annular flange 139 engaging the tensioning member 37, has a tubular portion extending into the tubular portion or" the detachable head member so as to be coaxial therewith. The tubular portion of the plug 138 is slotted so as to provide four quadrants of a flexible nature. The flange 139 of the plug 138 is maintained against the tensioning member 37 by the cup-shaped member 4G.

The heating unit 50 of the second form has the angular projection 52 which extends through an opening in the bottom of the cup-shaped member 40 clamped between the bottom wall of the cup-shaped member 40 and the annular flange 189 of the tubular plug 138.

When the detachable member 35 is placed in position upon the base 20, the stud 5.1. will engage the post 30, and the slotted end of the plug 138 will engage the socket 124 of the base 20 so that the outerv end of the heating unit will be in electrical engagement with the socket 124 through the plug 138.

When it is desired to use the modified form of the device, the push button 61 is pressed so that the spring blade 28 will engage the terminal .60 completing a circuit through the device through the following elements: ground, 60, 28, 122, 126, 124, 138, 139, 52, 50, 51 and 30 then to a source of current and ground.

From the foregoing description of the construction of the second form shown in Fig. 8 to 16 inclusive, we have provided a detachable head cigar lighter comprising a base 20, terminals 30 and 60 supported by the base 2G, a switch supported by the base and comprising a contact 28 movable into connection with the terminal 60, a heating coil 50, and means for attaching the head 35 to the base 20 and for electrically connecting the heating coil 50 with terminals 30 and 60, said means comprising a central plug 53 and an annular plug 138 on the head and cooperating respectively with a central socket 55 and an annular socket 124 on the base. The central pair of plug and socket members connects the coil 50 with the terminal 30 and the other pair 138, 124 connects the other end 52 of the coil with the switch movable member 28.

Referring to Fig. 17 to 2l inclusive we provide a third form of a detachable head cigar lighter comprising a base, terminals insulatingly supported by the base, a switch supported the and comprising a contact movable into connection withA one of the terminals, a heating coil, a

head for supporting the coil, means for attaching the head to the base electrically connecting the heating coil with the terminals, said means comprising a substantially central socket on the head and electrically connected to one end of the heating coil and receiving a central plug on the base, and an annular plug on the head electrically connected to the other end of the heating coil and engaging an annular socket member connected with the switch movable contact.

A cup-shaped socket member 223 engages one side of the base 20 and is in turn engaged by an annular iiange 122a of the tubular conductor 122, thereby electrically connecting the conductor 122 with the socket member 223 and securely attaching the socket member 223 to the base 20. The conductor 122 extends from the side of the base opposite the socket member 223 and through an opening in the resilient contact or blade 28. This end of the conductor 122 is spun over the contact 28 to firmly hold the contact 28 against the base, and thereby electrically connecting the socket member 223 and the contact 28.

An insulating disc or bushing 231 is provided within the socket member 223. A hole in said disc, concentric of the socket member 223 is in axial alignment with a similar hole in the cover plate 27. The terminal stud or post 30 is supported in the holes of the disc 231 and the plate 27, the post having a iiange portion 233 which engages one side of the disc 231. The threaded end s of the post 30 extending through the cover plate 27 has a nut 34 thereon, which when tightened, draws the flange portion 233 of the post 30 against the disc 231 thus holding the cover plate 27 in position and rigidly supporting the post 30 in proper position relative to the socket member or connector 223.

A detachable head member 235 is of tubular construction, and having a bell-shaped end. An interior shoulder 236 is provided in the detachable head member 235. The tensioning ring 37 lines the shoulder 236. A plug 238A having an annular ange 239 engaging the tensioning member 37,

has a tubular portion extending into thek tubular portion of the detachable head member solas to be coaxial therewith. This tubular portion of the plug 238 is slotted so as to provide four quadrants of a flexible nature. The flange 239 of the plug 238 is maintained against the tensioning member 37 by a cup-shaped member 240 provided with an outwardly extending rim 241 adapted to engage the flange 239 of the plug 238.

A snap ring 45 iitting into an annular groove 43 provided 'in the interior surface of the bellshaped end of the detachable head member 235 engages the rim 241 of the cup-shaped member 240'to maintain the cup-shaped member in proper position within the oetachable head 235. One end of the heating unit 58 is in electrical engagement with a stud or connector 51, supported by the cup-shaped member 40, but insulated therefrom. The other end of this heating unit has an angular projection 52 which extends through an opening in the bottoni of the cup-shaped member 240 and is clamped between the rim of the inember 240 and the plug 238. The stud 51 has its :tree end counterbored to form a socket 253. The socket 253 is adapted to receive a bifurcated end 255 oi the terminal 38. This bifurcated end 255 of the terminal 30 is adapted to fit snugly into the recess 253 provided in the end of the stud 51 whereby the terminal post is electrically connected with one end of the heating unit 50.

When the detachable member 235 is placed in position upon the base 20, the stud 51 will receive the end 255, as has been described, and the slotted end of the plug 238 will engage the socket member 223 of the base 2i) so that the outer end of the heater unit 50 will be in electrical engagement with the socket member 223 through the plug 238.

When it is desired to use the third form of the device, the push button 6l is pressed so that the l blade or contact 28 will engage the terminal 60 completing a circuit through the device through the following elements: ground, 60, 28, 122, 223, 23 240, 52, 50, 51, and 30 then to a source of current and ground. With continued depression of the button 5l the current will iiow through the heating unit 5G, causing the unit to glow, at which time the detachable head member 235 may be removed from the oase 2G. In this removal, the stud 51 is released from the post 30, and

the plug 238 from the socket 223.

From the foregoing description of the construction of the third form as illustrated in Figs. 17 to 21 inclusive, we have provided a detachable head cigar lighter comprising a base 20,

the heating coil 50 and receiving a plug 255 on the base 20, and an annular plug 238 on the head electrically connected to the other end of the heating coil 50 and engaging the socket member 223 on the base connected with the switch movable contact 28.

While the forms of embodiment of the present inventionA as herein disclosed, constitute a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming Within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A cigar lighter unit comprising a stationary member anda removable member detachably mounted thereon, said stationary member provided with an aperture, a spring blade, having an aperture, a holding sleeve having a portion extending through said apertures with a portion of said sleeve turned over onto said blade to hold said blade and sleeve in place on said stationary member, a terminal supported in but insulated from said sleeve, a second terminal spaced from said first mentioned terminal, said detachable member comprising a housing With a recess at its front, a heater coil supported in said housing, a sleeve connected with one end of said coil and adapted to yieldingly engage said holding sleeve, a contact connected with the other end of said coil to engage said insulated terminal, and means for pressing the free end of said spring blade into engagement with the second mentioned terminal to cause said coil to be brought to incandescence.

2. A cigar lighter comprising in combination, a detachable head having a housing with a recess at its front, a heater coil supported in said housing, a sleeve connected with one end of said coil, a center Contact connected with the other end of said coil, a base, a holding sleeve supported by said base and adapted for telescopical engagement with the sleeve of said head, a blade spring having one end electrically connected with and fixed to said base by said holding sleeve, a contact terminal inside said sleeve but insulated therefrom, said contact adapted to engage said center contact of the head, a second terminal supported by said base, and means for pressing the free end of said blade spring into engagement with the second terminal completing a circuit to bring the heater coil to incandescence.

WILLIAM H. HUTCHINS. THOMAS L. LEE. 

